According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided process and apparatus using an in-line air bearing heater to maintain ambient elevated temperature or to provide extra heating to a recording media moving along a path in an imaging system. The heated air bearing is also useful for shearing the surface of molten toner or inks to level and gloss an image at the recording media.

A drum for processing a thermal image medium has first and second end plates that extend orthogonally to an axis of rotation and enclose an inner core. First and second inner partitions along the axis define a first end zone between the first partition and the first end plate, a second end zone between the second partition and the second end plate, and a middle zone between the first and second partitions. Each inner partition has sleeve portions that extend outward from the partition, in an axial direction. A first lamp heater extends parallel to the axis and through one or more sleeve portions and has a first filament within the first end zone and a second filament within the second end zone. A second lamp heater extends parallel to the axis and through one or more sleeve portions and has a central filament within the middle zone.

A drum for processing a thermal image medium has first and second end plates that extend orthogonally to an axis of rotation and enclose an inner core. First and second inner partitions along the axis define a first end zone between the first partition and the first end plate, a second end zone between the second partition and the second end plate, and a middle zone between the first and second partitions. Each inner partition has sleeve portions that extend outward from the partition, in an axial direction. A first lamp heater extends parallel to the axis and through one or more sleeve portions and has a first filament within the first end zone and a second filament within the second end zone. A second lamp heater extends parallel to the axis and through one or more sleeve portions and has a central filament within the middle zone.